We warmly welcome Dr. Benny Mart R. Hiwatig as a new staff of UP NISMED and as the newest member of the Chemistry Group. Doc Benny began his career as a high school chemistry teacher in Batangas before earning his PhD in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction (STEM Education) from the University of Minnesota, USA. During his doctoral training, he worked as a graduate researcher on a multi-institutional National Science Foundation (NSF)–funded project focused on developing resources to support integrated STEM (iSTEM) instruction.
Before returning to the Philippines to serve as a Science Education Specialist here at UP NISMED, he spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher with the STEM Education Center and the Biology Teaching and Learning Department at the University of Minnesota. There, he worked closely with K–12 science teachers and stakeholders, developed curriculum materials, and conducted research on integrated STEM education. He has consistently presented his work at international science education conferences and published in refereed international journals.
His research interests and expertise center on integrated STEM education, science teacher education, curriculum design, and students’ attitudes toward STEM, with particular attention to equity-oriented and context-responsive instruction. He has also served the field through various committees in professional organizations and currently serves as a member of the editorial review board of the Journal of Science Teacher Education. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys traveling, playing various sports such as volleyball and tennis, and engaging in outreach and youth development initiatives.
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